Here is our advent tree.
I think I got this idea from Martha Stewart years ago--but could not find it anywhere on the internet!
Just wrap tiny matchboxes with paper and add a tag with ribbon. Then attach the box to the tree using a small piece of wire.
In years past I would put a small piece of candy inside for the kids to enjoy each day, but as we added to the family I found it was hard to fit 4 pieces of anything inside these tiny boxes. Last year I decided to add strips of paper to each bag with a fun activity to do each day.
Here is our list this year:1. Play a game in front of the fire.2. Address & send out Christmas cards3. Make some Christmas candy.4. Shovel someone's walkway.5. Read in Luke 2, then act out the Nativity scene.6. Make gingerbread houses.7. Donate food for the food drive.8. Read a Christmas story.9. Make some reindeer food.10. Take a drive to see the Christmas lights.11. Build a snowman.12. Make a treat for someone in the neighborhood.13. Donate to Toys for Tots.14. Listen to Christmas music.15. Sing a Christmas song.16. Make gifts to give to the kids' teachers.17. Be a secret Santa for a single person in the neighborhood.18. Go sledding.19. Have a snowball fight.20. Read a Christmas book.21. Put a puzzle together.22. Watch 'Christmas Vacation'23. Make cookies for Santa.24. Read 'Twas the Night before Christmas' and set out cookies and reindeer food.
This year I decided to add in a few service oriented activities along with the fun ones. I think it is really great to let kids have the chance to do nice things for other people, but sometimes it's hard to find things for little kids to do. What simple things do you do with your kids?